Tungsten Hexafluoride, WF₆

Tungsten Hexafluoride, WF₆, is obtained by the action of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride upon tungsten hexachloride in platinum vessels, or by the interaction of antimony pentafluoride with the hexachloride. It is a solid at low temperatures; just above 0° C. it sublimes to a heavy gas which fumes in moist air; it reacts with water with production of tungstic acid. It attacks both glass and mercury; by alkalies it is decomposed, and with alkali fluorides it forms double salts.